A worthy follow-up to Pt. 1 with several bangers and several interesting thoughts. The theming around it was a nice touch, and the different genres included made for a dynamic experience. Super cool solos and piano pieces throughout as well. Great work by Haywyre.
Favorite: Endlessly
Least Favorite: Restraint
Fantastic debut EP from Puppet. He had his sound from this era nailed ever since his first Monstercat release, and he takes it to new territories here in spectacular fashion, while still maintaining that classic Puppet sound. Introspective yet triumphant, this project is a classic for Puppet fans for a reason.
Favorite: Without Me, Soft Spoken
Least Favorite: Boy and the Beast
A step up from Plastic Memories, this EP comprises 3 songs that have solid melodic sections and okay drops, and the closer, which completely drops the ball—reminding me that although there was audible improvement, it still came from the same Kotori.
Favorite: Eroge
Least Favorite: Rebellion
A pretty good entry in the WILLOW discography that could satisfy anyone looking for another taste of this artist’s unique style. It doesn’t reach the highs of empathogen, and even reaches a low or two, but it does deliver on some cool moments that make this an intriguing listen. I’m not disappointed with this one!
Favorite: sitting silently
Least Favorite: living in the heart interlude
A more polarizing EP than his previous, Sharks seems to be in a different place musically than I’d prefer. But hey, whatever gets him inspired. Better this music than no music, as you still get at least one banger with every project. And this EP has a few banger moments, it just has some less preferable moments to balance those out. I’ll take some and leave some, which I’ve come to expect from Sharks’ current style. And like I said, it’s certainly better than ... read more
I would enjoy this much more if they took the 8 best remixes (all the original EP’s songs of which are represented) rather than releasing all 21, because a significant portion of these are quite bad. When they aren’t bangers, they completely miss the point of each track and rely on low-effort drop structures that just don’t groove or hit or do much of anything. An unsatisfying smattering of bad, mid, and a bit of really good stuff. Wish they didn’t pack this remix so ... read more
Rating based on track average
Favorite: Home (10/10)
Least Favorite: Your Time (4/10)
🔴 Make You Mine
🟢 The other 6 tracks
Fantastic tracklist that doesn’t tell as much of a story as its predecessor but does improve upon it in so many respects. So creative, so cool, so clean, so thoughtful, so emotive. Grabbitz does it again!
Favorite: Float Away
Least Favorite: Intermission
🔴 Your Time
🟢 The other 3 tracks
Messy mixing and half-baked ideas hinder this EP from being near as fun as it could be. The lyrics to “Your Time” are a big blunder on the EP, but the rest of it doesn’t really hold its weight either. It had potential but didn’t build on it near enough.
Favorite: Let You Let Me
Least Favorite: Your Time
Rating based on track average
Favorite: One Man Moon Band (8.5/10)
Least Favorite: Yours Truly (Aaron Jackson Remix) (5.5/10)
TYNAN - TYNAN TIME (35)
🔴 coat check, cracked, bow2
🟢 The other 12 tracks
I hate to put this debut album so low, because I normally mess with TYNAN a good bit and it’s clear this album is trying to reach some philosophical progression beyond the surface. Unfortunately, most of what I like about TYNAN is replaced with the kind of abrasive, unpleasant sound design I could go to a ton of other artists for (but wouldn’t want to). And that progression feels too vague and scattered ... read more
🔴 Same Love Twice, Hate It When It’s You, Take Me Down
🟡 Champagne
🟢 The other 9 tracks
In a vacuum, each of these songs do the job, some quite well. As a whole project, there’s not much to grab onto. Even so, there are bits of creativity that shine through a project I was afraid would sound just like every other meldub project out there these days (it almost does, but in the slightest bit, not quite). Sometimes the production carries, sometimes the vocalists carry, ... read more
🔴 Slave to the Rithm
🟡 Feel Alive
🟢 The other 17 tracks
The biggest blemish on this record is "Slave to the Rithm" by a long shot. Then, to lesser detriment, there's the extremely cliche formula the tracklist falls within. Then, to even lesser detriment, there's the excessive length. Other than those three things, this is not a bad outing for ILLENIUM!
Sure, it often falls a bit weaker than I know he's capable of, but he brings in some solid talent on for ... read more
Despite my relatively modest rating, I find this album quite impressive. There’s a palpable mystic and fantastical energy to this album that I rarely hear anywhere else. It doesn’t reach too many high highs, but the tracklist stays consistent throughout its various chill vibes. The Southeast Asian influences are tangible here, and I love hearing that sound specifically done right. Quite the enjoyable entry from Varien, and quite the departure from Monstercat’s classic 2015 ... read more
Rating based on track average
Favorite: Law of the Jungle (10/10)
Least Favorite: The Girl (Color Source Remix) (6/10)
🔴 what you call love, upset about who goes first, antidogma
🟡 nothing is sacred
🟢 The other 7 tracks
Now this is a step in the right direction! Although there's the occasional mid or bad moment, most of the album is quite good, even impressive. The songwriting is interesting, the sound design is nice as ever, and often the longer a track is, the more there is to take away from it. A welcome improvement from grape milk; exactly what I was hoping for every time I listened to a ... read more
Rating based on track average
Favorite: The Fire (10/10)
Least Favorite: Legends (5/10)
🔴 Way Too Deep
🟢 The other 6 tracks
A heart-wrenching journey through relational heartbreak. Grabbitz shows his chops off in all areas: EDM production, songwriting, vocals. The sound design bangs, and the dynamic flows complement an emotive narrative. A great first project from one of the most consistently great artists on early Monstercat.
Favorite: Turn Around
Least Favorite. 7.6.14 (Intro)
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Recent Review Comments
On Open_Doors_'s review of TYNAN - TYNAN TIME
"That point about the latter drops being much more interesting is bars. Wish he leaned into those cool sections a lot more."
On Bowtied Media's review of Quadeca - Vanisher, Horizon Scraper
"Just now finished listening. Dang, what a wild album. That ending was one of the craziest album moments of the year."
On Slushii - Chrysalis
"Definitely checking those out now that I’ve discovered this!"
On Bowtied Media's review of Riot Ten - Requiem for a Riot
"Full agreement. Excited to hear your full thoughts in the video."
On dygyt's review of Disphing - href_v1.1
"Definitely check out the original album. It's absolutely fantastic and leagues better than this remix collection."
On Rok3's review of Matthew Parker - Dragonfly (Deluxe)
"Oh I misread that as the original Bloodstream my b"
On Rok3's review of Matthew Parker - Dragonfly (Deluxe)
"Thought your least favorite track was Martian Party. 0_0"
On Matthew Parker - Daydreamer
"I do understand the argument; it's perfectly reasonable. I just don't feel that way when I listen to this album. I have too much fun with it."
On Matthew Parker - Meet Your Maker
"The only hate here is that I hate to have to say this about a Matthew Parker album. 😔"
On Matthew Parker - melon collie
"You know…u rite. 🤔"
On altair - EXEC: BYPASS
"Had some nice ambience outside the drops, and first drop was okay. But it really did not need to go into quarter-time, nor did I feel the sluggish SFX patterns justified it. Maybe I’m missing something obvious though, idk. 🤷♂️"
On tobyMac - The Elements
"Oh yeah, tobyMac slumped for sure, and this album was a bit of a return to form, just not as weighty a record as LAD imo. Also Scars is such a feeler."
On tobyMac - Welcome to Diverse City
"Banger 🔥"
On Jessica Baio - UNSAID
"Good catch, thanks. I review so many of each that the wrong word slips out on occasion."
On Bowtied Media's review of Sullivan King - CHAOS WILL BRING PEACE
"When you are the actual screamy dubstep man and you finally make a song called "Fury" but that song has the tamest, least furious drops on the EP, you know you're cooked. :|"
On Culprate - Unity Project, Pt. 3
"I still need to listen to part 2! I see there's an Au5 collab in there. :O"
On no_clue's review of Sam Bowman - Children of the Burning Heart
"Let’s gooo! Love to see you enjoyed this one. And “Icarus” is also my favorite track, so based!"
On no_clue's review of Jaron Steele - Everything In Between
"I was just listening to this EP again! Such a phenomenal EP, and the review sums it up well! :D"
On no_clue's review of Virtual Riot - Simulation
"Well I accidentally slipped on the Post button but that’s basically all I wanted to say. XD"
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